Duct access door

ABSTRACT

An access panel for an opening in a duct is provided. The access panel includes an exterior and an interior. The access panel further includes a section positioned on the interior and having a profile substantially corresponding to the opening in the duct. A plurality of fasteners is positioned about the section. Each fastener has a clip configured to move to a position defined to extend away from the profile of the section on the interior. When the access panel is positioned with the section on the interior against the opening in the duct and the fasteners are moved to the locking position the clips rotate to extend over the profile and secure a portion of the duct adjacent to the opening against the interior of the access panel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. Pat. No.8,813,426 (application Ser. No. 14/095,227, filed Dec. 3, 2013), whichis a continuation in part of U.S. Pat. No. 8,656,645 (application Ser.No. 13/670,653, filed Nov. 7, 2012). Ali of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The background of the invention relates to a duct access door. Typicallyto clean or inspect a duct or a portion thereof, a technician cuts aportion of the duct out. After inspecting and/or cleaning the technicianwould place the cut out portion over the hole and tape it back in place.While this may be solve the current problem there a numerousdisadvantages with this approach. First, the technician may not tape theportion back entirely, leaving gaps or spaces between the opening in theduct and the resealing thereof. Second, after a while the tape can beginpealing away from the duct exposure portion of the duct to dust anddirt. Third, in industrial and commercial businesses duct inspection andcleaning occurs more frequent then in residential arrears. To reopen theduct the technician has to cut away the tape and then re-seal, oftenleaving further issues and problems that are not visual to thetechnician but may occur afterwards. Forth, cutting away a portion ofthe duct often leaves sharp corners that can easily cut a technicianarms and hands. Fifth, other products on the marks have loose parts suchas nuts or bolts that can be easily lost or misplaced, often times leftin the duct itself.

There is thus a need to provide an easy and simply solution thatprovides easy access to the duct, especially for future use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One or more of the embodiments provided in the present invention relatesto an access panel for an opening in a duct system. The access panelincludes a base plate having an exterior surface side and an interiorsurface side. The base plate when positioned in the opening of the ductsystem has the interior surface side facing the duct system and theexterior surface side facing away from the duct system. The access panelalso includes a section positioned on the interior surface side that hasa profile substantially corresponding to the opening in the duct system.In addition, a plurality of rotatable fasteners are positioned about thesection. Each fastener has a locking clip configured to move to alocking position defined to extend over the profile of the section onthe interior surface side. As such, when the access panel is positionedwith the section on the interior surface against the opening in the ductsystem and the plurality of rotatable fasteners are moved to the lockingposition the locking clips rotate to extend over the profile and securea portion of the duct system adjacent to the opening against theinterior surface side of the access panel.

In additional aspect of this embodiment, the access panel may include ahandle secured to the exterior side. To further help create a betterseal between the duct an access panel, a gasket may be positioned on theinterior surface side of the base plate, the gasket being furtherpositioned between a terminus end of the interior surface side and theplurality of fasteners. In addition, the access panel may furtherinclude a rope seal positioned between the terminus end and outer sideof the gasket.

The fasteners may be configured to include (i) a bottom plate secured tothe interior surface side of the access panel, (ii) a rotatable cylinderhaving a front face positioned through the bottom plate and base plateof the access panel such that the front face is accessible from theexterior surface side of the access panel, (iii) a support flangeextending from an edge of the bottom plate to a rear face portiondefined on the cylinder, and (iv) a locking clip secured to the cylinderand rotatable therewith, the locking clip having a portion that isconfigured to move into engagement over a portion of the gasket when thecylinder rotates. As such, when the access panel is positioned with thesection on the interior surface against the opening in the duct systemand the plurality of rotatable fasteners are moved to the lockingposition the locking clips move into engagement against a portion of theduct system adjacent to the opening to secure the same against a portionof the gasket. The front face of each cylinder may include a key head ora knurl head.

Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will becomereadily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from theaccompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an access panel used to secure againstan opening in a duct system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an interior side of the access panelfrom FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an interior side of an access panel inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a fastener used to secure the access panelagainst the duct system;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the fastener in the locking position;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the fastener;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a fastener in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the access panel using knurl handles tolock the fastener;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an access panel using a screw driver tolock the fastener;

FIG. 7C is a side view of an access panel with the fastener from FIG.6B;

FIG. 7D is a top view of a fastener knurl handle in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a template sticker used in a method of installing an accesspanel;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the template being attached to a ductsystem;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the template being cut out of the ductsystem to create an access opening;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the access opening as the templateand portion of the duct system under the template is removed;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an access panel being positionedover the opening;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the access panel being positioned towards theopening in the duct system;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the access panel secured against the ductsystem covering the opening therein;

FIG. 15 is a side view of an access panel secured against the ductsystem having extended bolts to secure insulation on the exterior of thepanel;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the access panel from FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an access panel in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention providing for a curved duct system;

FIG. 18A is a side sectional view of a fastener in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18B is a second side sectional view of the fastener from FIG. 18A;

FIG. 19A is a side sectional view of a fastener in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19B is a second side sectional view of the fastener from FIG. 19A;

FIG. 19C is a side sectional view of the fastener from FIG. 19Ainstalled with an access duct panel in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 20A is a side sectional view of a fastener in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 20B is a side sectional view of the fastener from FIG. 20 installedwith an access duct panel in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, indetail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should beunderstood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered anexemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intendedto limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or the embodimentsillustrated.

Referring now FIGS. 1 and 2 there is provided an access panel 100 foruse with in a duct system found in any residential, commercial orindustrial areas. The access panel 100 has a base plate with an exteriorside 102 and an interior side 104. The interior side 104 would face theduct, while the exterior side 102 would in turn face away from the duct.A handle 106 could be positioned on the exterior side 102 to allow thetechnician easy means of holding the access panel 100 when installing orremoving it from the duct. A plurality of fasteners 108 (or cam locks),explained in greater detail below, are also provided in the access panel100 and provides a means for securing the access panel 100 to an edgeportion of the opening in the duct.

The interior side 104 of the access panel 100 may include a gasket 110positioned between a terminus end 112 of the interior side 104 and theplurality of fasteners 108. In various aspects of the present inventionthe gasket 110 may be made from neoprene and act as a dust gasketpreventing dust, particles, or gas from inside the duct from escaping.

Referring now also to FIG. 3, in other aspects of the present inventiona rope seal 114 may be positioned between the terminus end 112 of theinterior side 104 and an edge 116 of the gasket. The rope seal 114 maybe made from a fiberglass rope material and rated to withstand at apredetermined temperature, such as above 1400° F. to help contain a ductfire. Higher temperature ratings may be used, such as 2100° F., toincrease the safety factor.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the access panel 100 canhave a octagonal profile 118 helping to reduce sharp corners whencutting the duct opening.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 7B. The fasteners 108 or cam locks eachinclude a bottom plate 120 secured to the interior side 104 of theaccess panel. A cylinder 122 is positioned through the bottom plate 120and through an aperture (not shown) in the access panel, such that afront face 124 of the cylinder 122 is accessible from the exterior side102 of the access panel. An L shaped support flange 126 extends from anedge of the bottom plate 120 to a rear face portion 128 of the cylinder.The cylinder is rotatable with respect to the bottom plate 120 andsupport flange 126 and the cylinder includes a clip 130. The clip 130has a first edge secured about the rear face portion 128 and a secondedge secured about a portion of the cylinder adjacent the bottom plate120, such that when the cylinder rotates, the clip rotates therewith.Lastly, the clip 130 includes a locking section 132 that when thecylinder is rotated, moves into engagement over the gasket such thatwhen the access panel 100 is positioned over an opening 315 in the duct150, the locking section 132 secures a portion 135 of the duct 150adjacent the opening against the gasket 110. Similarly rotation of thecylinder is an opposite direction can disengage the clip.

While the front face 124 of the cylinder 122 may include a key head topermit rotation of the cylinder by a key, tool, wrench, screwdriver(FIG. 7B) or similar devices, the front face 124 may also include aknurl head 140 that allows a technician to engage and disengage eachclip by simply turning the knurl head and thus rotating the cylinder(FIG. 6A). This aspect would provide a tool-less access panel.

Referring now also to FIG. 6B and FIGS. 7C and 7D in other embodimentsof the present invention there is provided a plurality of fasteners 1088or cam locks; each include a bottom plate 120 secured to the interiorside 104 of the access panel. A cylinder 122 is positioned through thebottom plate 120 and through an opening 103 in the access panel, suchthat a front face 124 of the cylinder 122 is accessible from theexterior side 102 of the access panel. An L shaped support flange 126extends from an edge of the bottom plate 120 to a rear face portion 128of the cylinder. The cylinder is rotatable with respect to the bottomplate 120 and support flange 126 and the cylinder includes a clip 130.The clip 130 has a first edge secured about the rear face portion 128and a second edge secured about a portion of the cylinder adjacent thebottom plate 120, such that when the cylinder rotates, the clip rotatestherewith. Lastly, the clip 130 includes a locking section 132 that whenthe cylinder is rotated, moves into engagement over the gasket such thatwhen the access panel 100 is positioned over an opening 315 in the duct150, the locking section 132 secures a portion 155 of the duct 150adjacent the opening against the gasket 110. Similarly rotation of thecylinder is an opposite direction can disengage the clip. In addition,an O-ring 127 is positioned between the bottom plate 120 and the frontface, preferably between the bottom plate 120 and the knurl head 140.The O-ring 127 positions in the opening of the accesses panel to providea fluid seal between the outside and the inside of the duct. As shownthe front face 124 of the knurl head 140 may include a key head 141 topermit rotation of the cylinder by a key, tool, wrench, screwdriver orsimilar devices.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 through 14, there is shown a method ofinstalling an access panel 100, similarly designed to one or more of theaforementioned embodiments. The method includes in a first step to applya template outline 300 to a portion of the duct 150 that matchessubstantially to a profile outline 145 on the interior side 104 of theaccess panel 100 (FIG. 9). The template outline 300 may be a sticker 305that can be pealed from a backing page 310 (FIG. 8) and then easilyapplied to a portion of the duct 150. Once affixed to the duct, thetechnician can cut around the sticker 305 to create an opening 315matching or corresponding to the profile outline 145 (FIGS. 10 and 11).As noted, in one aspect, the template outline may have a polygonalshaped profile that is less inclined to have sharp corners such as anoctagon or other similar shape. The technician can then position anaccess panel 100 over the opening 315 and position and lock the accesspanel against the opening 315 in the duct 150. By rotating the cylindersand thus engaging the clips against a portion of the duct adjacent theopening the access panel 100 will be locked in place.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16 there is provided in another embodimentof the present invention an access panel 400 having external stud bolts405 to permit insulation or sound deadening material 410 to be securedto the outer face 102 of the access panel 400. This is especiallyimportant with the duct system includes outer insulation. As such anyinsulation or material removed to create the access panel can bereplaced after the access panel is secured to the duct. The stud bolts405 may include a bolt 402, wing nut 407 and a washer 409 to help securethe insulation in place.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, it is also possible to have a curved plate502 in an access panel 500 designed to fit onto a curved duct system550.

As mentioned above with reference to FIG. 15 there are times in whichinsulation or sound deadening material needs to be secured to the outerface of the access panel. In further embodiments of to aid in thisaspect reference is also made to FIGS. 18A through 20B which illustratealternative embodiments to the fasteners or cam locks. Referring firstto FIGS. 18A and 18B the fastener 500 includes a bottom plate 620secured to the interior side of the access panel 100. A cylinder 622 ispositioned through the bottom plate 620 and through an opening 103 inthe access panel, such that a front portion 624 of the cylinder 622 isaccessible from the exterior side of the access panel. An L shapedsupport flange 626 extends from an edge of the bottom plate 620 to arear face portion 628 of the cylinder. The cylinder is rotatable withrespect to the bottom plate 620 and support flange 626. The cylinderalso includes a clip 630. The clip 630 has a first edge secured aboutthe rear face portion 628 and a second edge secured about a portion ofthe cylinder adjacent the bottom plate 620, such that when the cylinderrotates, the clip rotates therewith. Lastly, the clip 630 includes alocking section 632 that when the cylinder is rotated, moves intoengagement over the gasket such that when the access panel 100 ispositioned over an opening in the duct, the locking section 632 securesa portion of the duct adjacent the opening against the gasket. Similarlyrotation of the cylinder is an opposite direction can disengage theclip. In addition, an O-ring 627 is positioned between the bottom plate620 and the front face, preferably between the bottom plate 620 and thebody of the knob 640. The O-ring 627 positions in the opening of theaccesses panel to provide a fluid seal between the outside and theinside of the duct. As shown the front face 624 of the knob 640 includesa centered threaded section 650 to permit a screw 655 with an enlargedwasher 660 to be threaded therein.

In a similar embodiment, FIGS. 19A and 19B, the fastener 600′ includesthe washer 660 that includes an annular downwardly extended end 665.When installed, FIG. 19C, the washer 660 (with or without the extendedend 665), will be positioned against the outside insulation 410 to helpmaintain the insulation in place. The screws can be tightened into thebody of the knob 640 until the washer 650 becomes flush or against theinsulation.

Referring now to FIGS. 20A and 20B, in another embodiment, the screw 655includes a washer 660 with an annular downwardly extended end 665 asdescribed above and further includes a spring 670 biasing the washer 660downwardly. The upper portion 672 of the spring 670 is positionedagainst the head 675 of the screw, while the lower portion 674 of thespring 670 is positioned against the washer 660.

From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed thatnumerous variations and modifications may be effected without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It isto be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methodsand apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.

I claim:
 1. An access panel for an opening in a duct system, the accesspanel comprising: a base plate having an exterior surface side and aninterior surface side, wherein the base plate is positioned against theopening of the duct system such that the interior surface side facestowards the duct system and the exterior surface side faces away fromthe duct system; wherein the interior surface side of the base plate hasdefined a first interior surface section having a profile correspondingsubstantially to the opening in the duct system, and a second interiorsurface section defined between the first interior surface section andan outside edge of the base plate, such that when the base plate ispositioned against the opening of the duct system the first interiorsurface section resides about the opening of the duct system and thesecond interior surface section overlaps a duct edge defined about aperiphery of the opening in the duct system; and a plurality ofrotatable fasteners separately positioned through openings in the baseplate about the profile of the first interior surface section, eachfastener having a locking clip extending from the fastener about theinterior surface side of the first interior surface section and saidlocking clip being configured to move into a locking position, saidlocking position defined when the locking clip is rotated to extend overand engage the duct edge, and each fastener having a top portionaccessible from the exterior surface side of the base plate such thatwhen the top portion is rotated the locking clip rotates therewith, andeach fastener further includes an internally threaded bore positionedthrough the top portion towards the base plate, and each fastenerfurther includes a screw with a corresponding threaded to allow thescrew to fasten into the internally threaded bore, the screw furtherincludes a head; whereby when the access panel is positioned with thefirst interior surface section on the interior surface against theopening in the duct system and one or more of the plurality of rotatablefasteners are moved to said locking position, one or more of the lockingclips rotate to extend over and engage the duct edge to secure the ductsystem to the base plate.
 2. The access panel of claim 1 furthercomprising a handle secured to the exterior side.
 3. The access panel ofclaim 1 further comprising a gasket positioned on the interior surfaceside of the base plate, the gasket being further positioned between aterminus end of the interior surface side and a periphery of the firstinterior surface section on the interior surface side.
 4. The accesspanel of claim 3, wherein the gasket is made from a neoprene material.5. The access panel of claim 1 further comprising: a rope sealpositioned along a terminus end of the interior surface side of theaccess panel; and a gasket positioned against the rope seal andextending towards the periphery of the first interior surface section onthe interior surface side.
 6. The access panel of claim 5, wherein therope seal is made from a fiberglass rope material and configured towithstand a predetermined temperature.
 7. The access panel of claim 1,wherein the base plate has an outside profile configured as an octagonalprofile.
 8. The access panel of claim 1, wherein each fastener isfurther configured to include: a bottom plate secured to the interiorsurface side of the access panel; a rotatable cylinder having one endconfigured to the top portion; an o-ring positioned between the topportion and the bottom plate for sealing the openings in the base plate;a support flange extending from an edge of the bottom plate to a rearface portion defined on the cylinder; and the locking clip secured tothe cylinder and rotatable therewith, the locking clip having a portionthat is configured to move into engagement over a portion of the ductedge when the cylinder rotates, such that when the access panel ispositioned with the first interior surface section on the interiorsurface against the opening in the duct system and one or more of theplurality of rotatable fasteners are moved to said locking position, oneor more of the locking clips rotate to extend over and engage the ductedge to secure the base plate to access panel.
 9. The access panel ofclaim 8, wherein an end of the cylinder adjacent the top portionincludes a knurl head positioned between the top portion and the bottomplate.
 10. The access panel of claim 1, wherein the screw furtherincludes a washer.
 11. The access panel of claim 10, wherein the washerincludes an annular downwardly extended end.
 12. The access panel ofclaim 10, wherein the screw further includes a spring positioned betweenthe washer and the head of the screw.
 13. The access panel of claim 1further comprising at least one stud bolt connector secured to the baseplate facing the exterior surface side such that the stud bolt extendsaway from the exterior surface side of the base plate.
 14. The accesspanel of claim 1, wherein the base plate has a curved profile configuredto accommodate a curved duct system.
 15. An access panel for an openingin a duct system, the access panel comprising: a base plate having anexterior surface side and an interior surface side, wherein the baseplate is positioned against the opening of the duct system such that theinterior surface side faces towards the duct system and the exteriorsurface side faces away from the duct system; wherein the interiorsurface side of the base plate has defined a first interior surfacesection having a profile corresponding substantially to the opening inthe duct system, and a second interior surface section defined betweenthe first interior surface section and an outside edge of the baseplate, such that when the base plate is positioned against the openingof the duct system the first interior surface section resides about theopening of the duct system and the second interior surface sectionoverlaps a duct edge defined about a periphery of the opening in theduct system; and a plurality of rotatable fasteners separatelypositioned through openings in the base plate about the profile of thefirst interior surface section, each fastener having a locking dipextending from the fastener about the interior surface side of the firstinterior surface section and said locking clip being configured to moveinto a locking position, said locking position defined when the lockingclip is rotated to extend over and engage the duct edge, and eachfastener having a top portion accessible from the exterior surface sideof the base plate such that when the top portion is rotated the lockingdip rotates therewith and wherein each fastener is further configured toinclude: a bottom plate secured to the interior surface side of theaccess panel, a rotatable cylinder having one end configured to the topportion, an o-ring positioned between the top portion and the bottomplate for sealing the openings in the base plate, a support flangeextending from an edge of the bottom plate to a rear face portiondefined on the cylinder, and the locking clip secured to the cylinderand rotatable therewith, the locking clip having a portion that isconfigured to move into engagement over a portion of the duct edge whenthe cylinder rotates, such that when the access panel is positioned withthe first interior surface section on the interior surface against theopening in the duct system and one or more of the plurality of rotatablefasteners are moved to said locking position, one or more of the lockingclips rotate to extend over and engage the duct edge to secure the baseplate to access panel, each fastener further includes a threaded boresection through the top portion towards the bottom plate and a screwhaving corresponding thread to secure to the top portion, and a washerpositioned between the top portion and a head of the screw; whereby whenthe access panel is positioned with the first interior surface sectionon the interior surface against the opening in the duct system and oneor more of the plurality of rotatable fasteners are moved to saidlocking position, one or more of the locking clips rotate to extend overand engage the duct edge to secure the duct system to the base plate.16. The access panel of claim 15, wherein an end of the cylinderadjacent the top portion includes a knurl head positioned between thetop portion and the bottom plate.
 17. The access panel of claim 15,wherein the screw further includes a washer.
 18. The access panel ofclaim 17, wherein the washer includes an annular downwardly extendedend.
 19. The access panel of claim 15, wherein the screw furtherincludes a spring positioned between the washer and the head of thescrew.